Soon we will be casting our vote for the next president of the United States of America. The date for the vote is November 4, 2008. On November 5th (hopefully) we will know who our next president will be. I would like to urge all of us who are followers of Jesus Christ to be in prayer for the election and certainly in prayer for whomever becomes our next president. The Apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Timothy 2:1-4:
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
I have been quite captivated by the race over the last months. I would like to pose a few questions to you as readers of this blog.
I am wondering how captivated you are in the presidential campaign?
What are the main issues for you as a voter?
When you think of casting your vote, how much does your faith enter the equation?
Do you think there are valid Christian values expressed by both of the political parties? If so what are they?
Finally, what wisdom do you see in clergy endorsing or not endorsing a candidate for a public office?
How do you think you would personally respond if the clergy of your church endorsed a candidate contrary to who you were supporting?
Your partner in the gospel,
Pastor Paul
Posts
I find myself pulled to this campaign more then ever in the past. I feel a significant change coming for our country.
ReplyDeleteThe main and overriding issue in my heart is abortion. If I had to vote on one issue only, this and my belief for the sanctity of life overrides all other issues and stances. Not that Roe V. Wade will be overturned but putting a federalist in office who appoints federalist judges is very important to me.
My faith is huge on casting of my vote. There are big issues on both sides of the isle.
There are Christian values on both sides and there are also lack there of. Paul admonishes the church and tells them to give in there abundance to others and others are to give to them when they are in need. The socialistic side of the Democratic party sounds very Christian like. However, Paul does not appoint someone to take the money and give it to someone else, God says we are to be a cheerful giver. God wants us to give not the Govt. I am always amazed when candidates show us their giving records and how their actions don't represent their speech.
The Republican stance on Abortion, Sanctity of marriage more align with my values. However trickle down economics have issues when corporations are full of corruption.
I will still side on the side of trickle down vs Socialism and put my trust in many in business vs few in govt.
I tend to respect when a minister, through prayer, shares his/her thoughts on issues in the world. Do they have to go out and endorse a certain candidate? Maybe maybe not. I do think they should at the very least expound on the issues and the stance of the parties and what the bible says about those stances. Abortion, Taking care of each other, Sanctity of marriage, Turning the other Cheek, Homosexuality, etc.
We should all be in the bible and talking to God on these issues. There are moral issues on both sides. However, just like we are not be a private religion we should also not be private on moral issues that are impacting our culture. God is where we get morality from not caring about what other people think.
My responses to a pastor who endorsed a candidate that is different to me would depend on the pastors reasons and the office they are endorsing. I guess if I went to a church where the Pastor openly supported Senator Obama, I would have a hard time going to that church based on my belief in the importance of the abortion issues in our world.
I look at someone like Huntley Brown and have nothing but respect for his stance on this race. He is showing leadership and having death threats for doing it.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/huntleybrown.asp
Sorry so long in my response. I am obviously supporting John McCain, incase anyone was wondering.
Mark
I couldn't agree more Mark!! I'll comment more later. I don't want my gut response to be from the wrong motive or not thought out.
ReplyDeleteIt is my faith that leads me to the Republican party. With all it's flaws, it is still the party that aligns with my values on life, holy marriage between one man and one woman and taxation. Redistribution of wealth is socialism. That's where we are headed with the democrats in charge. I would have an extremely hard time following a pastor who endorsed liberal issues- abortion, gay marriage and excessive government taxation. You can not be a follower of Christ and reconcile abortion, infanticide, homosexuality, gay marriage and taking God out of public schools with sound biblical doctrine. I pray for the soul of this country.
ReplyDeleteLEGALLY, I oppose the 1954 IRS regulation that has denied pastors their first amendment rights in exchange for a church's tax-exemption. What a tool for our enemy to cause caution in our nation's good pastors.
ReplyDeleteETHICALLY, I do not think it is a pastor's call to use his influential role to endorse a candidate or political party; certainly not from the pulpit or podium. However, if convicted by the Holy Spirit, a pastor should feel free to participate in civic activities that do not distract from his pastoral call and which he discerns to be biblically aligned. On his own, apart from his pastoral roll, he should feel free, like any other citizen, to express his opinions or try to be persuasive (after all, “citizen” is one of his vocations as well).
BIBLICALLY, I think it is clearly within a pastor's call and duty as shepherd to present biblical teaching as it relates to current issues, encouraging his parishioners to be biblically informed citizens. Especially in a democracy—where we can actually persuade public policy—this is the saint’s unique obligation. The Bible is keenly relevant to every facet of the human condition--past, present and future and the Word of God is the only perfect rule, not only for faith and doctrine, but also conduct.
I’ve been rather alarmed to read recently that a new generation of Christian young people find it rather “old school” to reduce elections to just two issues, namely, abortion and gay marriage. Indeed, this was actually articulated several months ago by a well-liked volunteer (no longer in the GF area) to a number of students upstairs in our own youth room—along with this volunteer’s strong candidate endorsement.
ReplyDeleteIn answer, I would say that I am certainly NOT a one (or two) issue voter, but I am a priority voter. I am deeply concerned with many issues in this election: the economy; illegal immigration; the erosion of our Constitution; foreign policy as it concerns Israel and Islamic terrorists, Russia, N. Korea, Iran; as well as human rights abuses around the world; our energy needs and more.
However, as a priority voter, I do not begin to look at a candidate’s position on the above issues until they “pass” a pro- innocent life litmus test and then “pass” a commitment to marriage as God instituted it, between a man and a woman. I don’t think that these are the only two issues of importance, but they are the only two issues of all of the above that affect the soul (save human rights abuses that certainly all sides see as repugnant). This is why we declare victory for our God when we present salvation and offer grace and compassion to homosexuals or women who have had abortions, for we know the enemy of our soul seeks to devour individuals even as he seeks to besmirch the name of the holy God throughout the world.
Be assured, an assault on God’s glory is our enemy’s goal through abortion and gay marriages. Besides biblical evidence of the personhood of unborn children (see multitude of verses referring to pregnant women as “with child”), besides the horror we feel when we read of Hazael (2 Ki. 8:12) or Menahem (2 Ki. 15:16) ripping open pregnant women, besides the anger of the LORD toward the abomination of worshippers of Molech—sacrificing their children (Lev. 20: 2-5, Jer. 32:35) , can we conceive of any greater glee for our enemy than to dance at the destruction of those that bare the image of their Creator?
Likewise, the marriage of a man and a woman is given to us as a picture of the relationship of Christ and the Church (Eph. 5: 22-32). Also, Scripture gives us another purpose of marriage—godly offspring (Malachi 2: 13-15). Add to this, the extreme cost to children as our nation experiments with this wholly-engineered definition of “family”. What a messed up picture of Christ and the Church will await our children and their children if our enemy is given ground. How insidious of our enemy to grossly twist the illustration of this holy relationship; how cunning to enlist the help of academia, arts and media to embrace this distortion as mainstream.
It grieves me to believe that these two subjects are moving down the totem pole of importance among many younger Christians. Whoever is elected president on Nov. 4 is expected to name at least one new justice to the US Supreme Court, and perhaps as many as three. The justices most likely to retire during the next four years, legal analysts say, are: John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and David Souter—all of whom favor abortion and gay rights. For the first time in a long time, we can realistically imagine the malignant Roe vs. Wade decision overturned in our lifetime. What heavy thumb of discipline might be removed from our nation if this horror were eradicated? God grant it.
What Kim said.
ReplyDeleteDouble dittos to Kim. I pray that we know our youth pastors well enough that they will not be predisposing young minds to political views not in accordance with God's Word. I asked a former youth pastor how he could support a candidate for the highest office in the land that supports abortion, partial birth abortion and gay marriage. All he said was he had a "well thought out reconcilliation" to that matter. I'll bet. It would take me a lifetime to twist that into a way that made any biblical sense at all. Sadly, many youth pastors and church clergy have found a way to condone what God has called an abomination. God save us from false witnesses.
ReplyDeleteamen Kim!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo another question, how do we express and demonstrate love in a political campaign toward those who stand on the opposite side of us politically? How do we do that for those within the body of Christ and those outside of the body of Christ?
ReplyDeletePastor Paul
Kim wrote that the canidates need to pass 2 tests(abortion & marriage) before she starts looking at the rest of the record.
ReplyDeleteHere is a question. What if there is no one on the ballot that passes these two tests?
I am not sure if the top two candidates pass ethier of those tests (of course it depends on how strict your test is).
Lastly, I don't think a pastor or anyone volunteering for the church should endorse a candidate (including wearing buttons or other political gear) while on the clock. And I think it is a waste of a church worship service when churches let politians speak on Sunday morning.
Of course maybe Mike Huckabee could do it cause he can just change his hat and pull out a seminary degree. Now that is a mix that not too many people can claim.
In answer to Pastor Paul, (“how do we express and demonstrate love in a political campaign?”):
ReplyDeleteWe, who would be identified with Christ, would do right to exhibit Christ-likeness in that Jesus was “full of grace AND truth” (John 1:14). In fact we are told that the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). It is not grace-filled to withhold truth just as it is not loving to leave a brother in biblical error.
In fact the apostle Paul directs us to “grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ (Eph. 4:15). How? By speaking the “truth in love”. Indeed, Jesus prayed that his followers would be set apart by truth (John 17:17). And what is truth? God’s Word is truth (ibid). We need to be biblically informed and keep our defense biblically-based as well as Holy Spirit-directed (i.e. “in love”), not riddled with human reasoning and personal opinion.
At the risk of hogging this blog topic—
ReplyDeleteA response to Steve (“What if there is no one on the ballot that passes these two tests?”):
In a democracy it is our unique responsibility to be informed about our candidates. This can be very difficult with missing information and opposing information coming at us from all angles. All we can do is gauge our candidate on his or her record and vote as the Holy Spirit directs us.
I hear you though...what is to be done when the Holy Spirit does not free us to embrace either candidate according to biblical and prayerful leading? All I can say is had John McCain chosen a pro-abortion running mate as was rumored; I was prepared to write in a vote for another candidate. I don’t think it serves us to choose the least of two poor choices if neither have a record of voting what we, students of the Word, deem to be the heart of God. Efforts toward health care improvements, conservation, economics, national security and foreign policy, etc. are irrelevant if we, as a nation, find ourselves under godly judgment (“You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?” Psalm 76:7).
Paul,
ReplyDeleteAs Kim said we do it in Love but also in truth just like Christ did.
John 4
17"I have no husband," she replied.
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
John 8
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
I am hanging out with Aleece today who has not been feeling well. While she is watching (again) the home video of the day she was born, I'll take the opportunity to post a few thoughts!
ReplyDeleteFirst, Pastor Paul, thank you for your inspiring blog. I am always moved to comment and was immediately plunking out my response days ago when it dawned on me..."I'm really getting tired of listening to myself talk!" So in the spirit of wanting to hear from the One I choose to follow, I hit "delete" and laid down my opinions so that I might "be still" in prayer.
Kim, you have masterfully echoed and reinforced the message of my heart and the biblical teachings I have come to rest my full weight upon. I am inspired and consider myself mentored through your written witness. Much to the disdain of fellow conservatives, I, too, had prayerfully committed to abstain from voting for John McCain if his VP pick had been pro-choice. I did not come to that conclusion by some means of my own self-righteousness or bull-headed determination (although I exhibit plenty of both from time to time), but rather as a direct result from having had a pro-choice heart that was (only a few years ago) clearly changed by God. I am so thankful for the changes brought about in me through the transforming love of Jesus Christ, that to cast my vote for the lesser of two evils just wouldn't make sense.
It is alarming the disregard our cluture has for life and traditional family values. If as Christians, we do not utilize and live according to a biblical world view, we might as well turn off the lights and lock the door to the church. We either believe God or we don't. I read recently "the measure of life is not its
duration, but rather its donation" (paraphrasing Peter Marshall). What are we purposing to give? If not an accurate measure for the hope that is within us, visible in the way we live and conduct our business about this world, than what can we hope to offer others?! We have the TRUTH...now we must find within ourselves through Christ, the measure of grace and the depth of love it's going to take to deliver that truth! Our world needs that kind of lovin'...and we know just where to find it!!! Press on!
Curious how we are to know where any of these candidates stand on issues such as life and marriage, unless it is reported or disclosed. Most candidates are reluctant to say so because it will cost them votes to be vocal about hot potato issues. Does anyone know where Grand Forks district 18 and district 42 candidates stand on social issues? I doubt it. Or candidates for Insurance commissioner, State Treasurer, Public Service Commissioner, and State Auditor? I can speak for Duane Sand as pro life, but not 100% sure about the others. I'm not as eloquent as every one else on this thread. But I have a hard time understanding people who call themselves "Christians" yet support Obama. These people know "the truth". Don't they? Heck, some are clergy themselves. Speaking to them "in love and truth" may not accomplish much because their truth is not your truth (which is biblical truth). Some get downright hostile when you quote scripture even. I tried it once and was called "arrogant" for thinking I could easily understand the meaning of scripture.
ReplyDeleteChris...I know the frustration of which you speak...cling to the Word.
ReplyDelete"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27
The comments made by Chris have brought me full circle back to one of Paul's original questions:
ReplyDeleteHow do you think you would personally respond if the clergy of your church endorsed a candidate contrary to who you were supporting?
I truly hope that never happens. I want my pastor to spend his time endorsing the leadership of Jesus Christ. But having said that, I do believe we must actively and thouroughly consider all issues through a biblical world view filter. That approach is beneficial to pastor and congregation alike.
Before coming to HOPE, my previous pastors made a multitude of statements that precipitated unease and questions in my core being, causing me to dig into the WORD for clarity and direction. I researched every source I could find and upon reading the "social statements" provided by my denomination, I sadly found that I no longer "fit" in the church of my youth. Ultimately, I felt God was calling me out from under that leadership. This was not a snap decision (where I immediately obeyed!), but one that clearly took much longer than it should have. I did not want to leave family and friends and my "position" within the congregation. But...if today I found myself sitting under the teachings of a pastor who was not clear on the sin involved in, for example, abortion and homosexuality, it would not take me long to start looking for another church. Denominationally, my beliefs and the statements of faith (as well as the social stands) of the Covenant church are in line. I know...I've checked. So, sin is sin...it's clear. But further, what I have found specifically at HOPE is the complete balanced package of how to see sin (my own especially) and how to lovingly and with grace, tackle the issue while pursuing Christ-like relationships with "each other" through the process. I would not want to be part of a church that missed the message of loving people where they are.
I believe I have been challenged for the first time, to allow God to love me enough so that I might be transformed and challenged to go from a lukewarm "I'm OK, You're OK" to being a fully devoted follower of Christ...a change that is obviously not completed but is happily underway!!!